I was pretty shocked and really proud because there are a lot of people who have been fighting for equal pay for a long time in one way or another, and by getting California State Lands to back us in our proposal for equal pay, I feel like we really put a nail in the coffin [of this decision. ] And I’m proud of the WSL for making this step too, because at the end of the day, the cost of life is the same for everyone so if you make less money, it just sucks.

One of those intrepid chargers was big-wave surfer Bianca Valenti–Big Wave Tour competitor and co-founder of the Committee for Equity in Women’s Surfing–who was down in Mainland Mex to chase the said swell, and to celebrate the WSL’s recent announcement of implementing equal pay for men and women across all WSL-sanctioned events.